Pointo, a leading innovator in India's Energy Solution sector, and Jadavpur University (JU) will collaborate to transform fossil fuel-powered Hindustan Ambassador cars into fully electric vehicles (EVs). The landmark project goes beyond retrofitment and underlines sustainable as well as eco-friendly transport. 
As part of the endeavour, Pointo will leverage its ability to create a circular economy in the battery industry by providing affordable and scalable energy solution models and vast supply and distribution network. 
Showcasing batteries as power sources and enablers of transformation, converting decades-old diesel-run vehicles into emission-free electric cars, the endeavour with Pointo and Jadavpur University as able partners, will involve detailed design and engineering exercise to successfully retrofit Hindustan Ambassador models - Classic, Grand, Avigo and Encore with electric propulsion system. 
The finer details of it will include vehicle diagnostics, electric motor and powertrain integration, smart battery placement, chassis and suspension adaptations and embedding of advanced BMS (Battery Management System). There will be telemetry software a part too.
Attention will be on achieving full regulatory compliance for pan-India deployment as well. The retrofitted Ambassadors will undergo rigorous testing to meet the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), receive emission-free certification, and secure approvals from authorities like the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).
This project would address a deeper societal and environmental challenge. For example, the iconic yellow Ambassador taxis, still operating in parts of Kolkata and other cities, powered by ageing diesel engines, are claimed to contribute significantly to urban air pollution and declining public health standards.
Transforming them into EVs would remove the pollution stigma attached to them through this initiative that keeps into view the need to arrest air quality degradation at its source and provide a replicable, scalable solution for thousands of such vehicles across Indian cities.
While the project begins in West Bengal, its implications are national, mentioned a source aware of the development. 
“This partnership with Jadavpur University marks a major step towards transforming India’s Clean Energy Storage and Power legacy,” said Riki Biswas, CEO and Director, Pointo. “With our expertise in battery technology and JU’s engineering excellence, we aim to not just retrofit vehicles but build a platform where the dependency on fossil fuels is reduced and batteries as a source of power and storage are promoted. This project has the potential to reduce emissions at scale, create livelihood opportunities, and preserve automotive heritage while aligning with our national electric mobility goals,” he added. 

Image Credit: Jan J George

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JSW MG Motor India has inaugurated its MG Select premium showroom in Worli, Mumbai. The new facility is based on the company’s ‘Reimagining Luxury’ philosophy and will offer customers a new buying experience.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “Luxury consumption in India has grown exponentially in the recent years, with MG Select we aim to further create a niche for the luxury car buyers by redefining and elevating the car ownership journey. Our vision of redefining the Indian luxury automotive landscape aligns with our dealer partners and together we will create newer benchmarks by offering technologically advanced products and exclusive experiences.”

The MG Select Experience Centres are designed with sublime, earthy and infinite white scapes, each showroom exudes a surreal space that evokes clarity and seamless flow.

Gautam Modi and Nidhi Modi Chheda, Dealer Principal, MG Select Mumbai, said, "MG Select Mumbai is an iconic expression of automotive excellence where timeless design and new age luxury come together in harmony. Rooted in MG legacy of innovation and a deep commitment to sustainability, this space redefines modern mobility for Mumbai’s discerning connoisseurs. Every detail reflects refined aesthetics, thoughtful experiences and enduring values. At MG Select, we honour aspirations, nurture meaningful relationships and craft a legacy defined by elegance, integrity and a shared vision for a better future."

At present, JSW MG Motor India retails the MG M9 presidential limousine and the MG Cyberster, the World’s Fastest MG through the premium store.

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Skoda Auto India’s Kodiaq SUV has become the first petrol-powered vehicle from India to reach the North Face Base Camp of Mount Everest. The achievement has been certified by both the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records.

The Kodiaq covered over 6,000 kilometres across India, Nepal and China to reach the Tibetan side of the Everest Base Camp. The route involved high-altitude driving, sub-zero temperatures and difficult terrain.

The milestone follows a strong first half of 2025 for the company, which saw record half-yearly sales of 36,194 units – a 134 percent rise over H1 2024 – placing Skoda among the top seven carmakers in India. The brand also expanded its network to over 300 customer touchpoints in 172 cities.

Skoda Auto India marks 25 years in the country this year and 130 years globally.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “At Skoda Auto India, we believe exploration drives progress. This achievement stands as a testament to this and finds great synergy with our strategy of being relevant, driving differentiation, and enhancing trust. Relevant because it reflects the growing ambition of Indian customers to go farther and demand more from their vehicles. Differentiated because no other petrol SUV has ever taken on such a formidable challenge and triumphed. And above all, it reinforces trust-trust in our products, our engineering, and our commitment to safety, quality, and reliability. We will continue with our focus on enabling journeys that go beyond the ordinary.”

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VinFast Auto India, the Indian subsidiary of the Vietnamese-based electric vehicle maker VinFast, has inaugurated its first showroom in Surat, Gujarat, promoted by Chandan Car.

The new facility is spread across 3,000 sqft will showcase VinFast’s upcoming range of electric SUVs – VF 6 and VF 7. It was on 15 July 2025 that the automaker opened bookings for its soon-to-be launched EV offerings. The vehicles are being locally assembled at VinFast’s upcoming factory in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.

Pham Sanh Chau, CEO, VinFast Asia, said, “The first VinFast Showroom in Surat, Gujarat is a symbol of our deep commitment to India. We are excited to bring the VinFast experience closer to Indian consumers. With this dealership in Gujarat, we aim to offer not just electric vehicles, but a complete ownership journey built on quality, trust, and service excellence. With trusted partners like Chandan Car, we are building a future-ready EV ecosystem in the country. Their proven automotive expertise, combined with VinFast’s technology and vision, will help shape a premium EV experience for Indian customers.”

VinFast Auto India has signed agreements with 13 dealer groups to open 32 dealerships in 27 Indian cities.

As part of its India market entry, VinFast has formed strategic partnerships with RoadGrid, myTVS, Global Assure for aftersales services, while its association with BatX Energies will focus on battery recycling.

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Renault Group reported a 1.3 percent increase in global vehicle sales in the first half of 2025, reaching 1.17 million units across its brands – Renault, Dacia, Alpine and Mobilize. This somewhat flat growth reflects the Group’s strategy of prioritising value creation over volume in a challenging market environment.

The Renault brand led the performance with global sales up 2.7 percent YoY to 808,413 units, driven by a 12.2 percent rise in passenger car sales. However, light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales fell by 22.8 percent, impacted by the end-of-life of certain models and the incomplete rollout of the new Master range.

Dacia recorded a marginal decline in global sales (-0.7 percent) to 356,084 units, while Alpine saw the strongest growth within the Group, with an 84.6 percent surge to 5,015 units, supported by the success of its new A290 electric city car.

Electrified vehicles now account for nearly 44 percent of Renault Group’s total sales, up more than 15 points from H1 2024. Renault’s electrified mix reached 59 percent, including strong growth in hybrid (+36.2 percent) and electric vehicle sales (+57 percent), with the Renault 5 E-Tech emerging as the best-selling B-segment EV in Europe. Dacia increased its electrified mix to 23.5 percent, led by strong hybrid demand for the new Duster. Alpine's electric share jumped to 76 percent, underpinned by the A290.

Geographically, Renault saw international growth of 16.3 percent, particularly in Latin America (+24 percent), Morocco (+48 percent) and South Korea (+150 percent). In Europe, the Group grew by 5.4 percent despite a declining passenger car market, with the Renault and Dacia brands maintaining strong positions among retail customers.

Looking ahead, the Group plans to launch seven new models in 2025, including the electric Renault 4 E-Tech, Dacia Bigster and Alpine A390, alongside two major facelifts. It will also expand the rollout of the Grand Koleos and Kardian in international markets. A EUR 25,000 version of the Renault 5 E-Tech is set to support broader EV adoption in Europe.

Renault Group maintains a solid order book in Europe, equivalent to around two months of forecast sales and continues to focus on retail channels, which represented over 56 percent of total sales in the region. Residual values for its vehicles remain well above the European average, supporting the Group’s value-over-volume approach as it navigates the ongoing market transformation toward electrification.

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